NOAA’s Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) maintains a dedicated and vibrant research enterprise that provides a holistic understanding of how weather, climate, ocean, and coastal systems are inextricably interconnected with each other and with society. While all of NOAA’s line offices conduct research, OAR is the only line office dedicated solely to conducting R&D which supports the entire range of NOAA’s science, service, and stewardship mission.
NOAA’s mission extends beyond the political boundaries of the United States to oceans, ecosystems, and the atmosphere throughout the world. It is important for NOAA/OAR to engage internationally and leverage opportunities to expand data collection in support of its science mission, while also seeking to maximize the mutual benefits of international exchange with global experts in ocean, atmosphere, and climate science.
The Oceanic and Atmospheric Research International Activities Office (OAR/IA) incubates and integrates new ideas, partnerships, and technologies that result in improved services for the Nation.
OAR/IA advances NOAA’s ocean, atmosphere, and climate science enterprise by:
These efforts support NOAA’s overall vision of healthy ecosystems, communities, and economies that are resilient to environmental change. OAR/IA has three operational objectives:
Much of NOAA’s on-going international science and technology enterprise is driven by gaining access to foreign data, technology, expertise, geographic locations, and engaging in cost-sharing opportunities on large-scale projects of mutual interest. These same drivers contribute to NOAA’s new and emerging science priorities that require linkages and relationships with foreign counterparts.
We conduct research in three major areas: weather and air quality, climate, and ocean and coastal resources.
The laboratories and their field stations are located across the country and around the world.
Scientific reviews are conducted every four years to evaluate the quality, relevance, and performance of research conducted at the OAR laboratories.
The Oceanic and Atmospheric Research International Activities Office (OAR/IA) advances NOAA’s science enterprise and priorities on ocean, atmosphere, and climate.